Napravnik To Sign Autographs for TRF and “Olivia’s Herd”

Napravnik To Sign Autographs for TRF and “Olivia’s Herd” (Press Release by TRF Diana Pikulski): Rosie Napravnik, one of the most successful jockeys in Thoroughbred racing, will be signing autographs at Saratoga Racecourse on Thursday, July 31, 2014 to benefit the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s “Olivia’s Herd.” The fifth race on the Saratoga card that day will be named the “Olivia’s Herd” in honor of Olivia Saylor, the late daughter of racehorse owner and breeder Paul Saylor. Saylor is a regular contributor to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. He created the “Olivia’s Herd” Fund in 2011 in Olivia’s memory to provide for the horses in the TRF program which are most in need of special care or feeding because of age or other physical condition.

“Caring for animals was Olivia’s passion,” said Paul Saylor. “This day at the races will bring awareness to the mission of ‘Olivia’s Herd’ and the work of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. I am thrilled that Rosie will be there to raise the profile of the cause and attract young people to the track and to the mission of ‘Olivia’s Herd’.”

The TRF will be giving away commemorative gifts to anyone who comes and signs up for information about “Olivia’s Herd” at the NYRA Charity Booth from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM that day.

Napravnik will appear at the NYRA Charity Booth from noon to 12:30 PM to sign autographs. Besting her record breaking year in 2012, Napravnik became the first woman in history to ride in all three jewels of the Triple Crown in 2013. On May 4, 2012 Napravnik became the first female rider in the 138-year history to win the prestigious Kentucky Oaks. She took the classic for fillies aboard the aptly named filly Believe You Can. She triumphed again this year, bringing home the garland of lilies aboard the Ron Winchell owned filly Untapable.

In 2012 Napravnik broke Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone’s 20-year standing record when she landed in the highest spot ever for a female jockey on the year-end North American leader board. She finished the year with $12,451,713 in purse earnings from 193 wins, putting her in eighth place in the year-end standings. She bested those numbers in 2013 when she finished the year with an astonishing 269 wins, which included 44 stakes wins (19 graded stakes), placing her fifth on the North American leader board in wins and eighth in purse earnings ($13,242,202). No jockey in the top 25 year-end earnings standings had a higher win percentage than her 22% clip.

About Olivia Saylor and “Olivia’s Herd”
The horses in “Olivia’s Herd” are the TRF’s horses that are most in need of special care or feeding because of age or other physical condition. Care for these horses is funded by gifts made to the TRF in memory of Olivia Saylor who died January 1, 2011 in Charleston, SC.

Olivia was very involved with her father and siblings in the Thoroughbred racing business. She is credited with naming Ashado, two time champion filly raced by the Saylor family in partnership with Starlight Stables. This partnership also campaigned Grade I winners Purge and Monba. Olivia with her siblings and father also owned and raced champion Fleet Indian. “Olivia would have wanted to care for the horses most in need,” said Paul Saylor. “Protecting racehorses and protecting the TRF as an ongoing entity to help racehorses should be a priority for everyone who is in racing.”

About TRF:
Founded in 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) is the largest equine rescue organization of its kind, devoted to the rescue, retirement, rehabilitation and retraining of Thoroughbred racehorses no longer able to compete on the track. The TRF is perhaps best known for its pioneering TRF Second Chances Program which pairs inmates at various state correctional facilities across the nation with ex-racehorses. The inmates participate in a certified vocational training course in horse care and stable maintenance while experiencing the therapeutic benefit of working with horses.

Other TRF events during the 2014 Saratoga season include:
The TRF’s Second Annual Hay, Oats and Spaghetti buffet dinner will be held on Monday, July 21st, at Mama Mia’s, 185 Ballston Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY at 6 p.m. Tickets are $75 and are available at www.trfinc.org/mamamias.

On Sunday, August 3rd, the TRF will host Bowties and Bourbon at Canfield Casino, Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, NY. Food will be provided by Hattie’s.

TRF will hold Fifth Annual Run/Walk for the Horses & Kids Fun Run on Saturday, September 6th at Saratoga Spa State Park, Orenda Pavilion.

For additional information on Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation visit www.trfinc.org.